The Abante Bohol political group has denied allegations that it fielded a guest candidate for provincial board member in Bohol’s first district, following mounting confusion over sample ballots that included an independent aspirant.
Campaign manager Stephen Rances clarified that the group had no involvement with independent candidate Board Member-elect Dr.Mutya Kismet Tirol-Macuno, who was allegedly presented as a guest candidate under the Abante Bohol slate.
“These are the names that appeared in the sample ballots distributed by Abante Bohol,” Rances said, referring to their three official candidates for the first district: Goldie Herrera, Lucille Lagunay, and Willy Ramasola.
Rances added that the selection of candidates underwent the “normal course of action and internal agreements,” and that the group respects the outcome of the elections.
Governor ArisAumentado, who leads Abante Bohol, was unavailable for comment as he was traveling in Europe.
The issue gained traction after Willy Ramasola, a known political commentator and social media personality making his first bid for public office, expressed dismay on social media over what he called a breach of political trust.
Ramasola, who aligned with Abante Bohol as part of a reform-oriented campaign, posted cryptically on Facebook: “Betray me once, shame on you. Betray me twice, shame on me.”
Ramasola’s entry into politics was seen by some observers as a bold move to translate his online influence into legislative action.
He had openly supported the administration of Gov. Aumentado and campaigned under the impression that he was part of a unified slate.
The controversy erupted amid circulating reports suggesting Abante Bohol had considered backing additional candidates outside their declared lineup—raising questions about internal coordination and transparency within the group.